MIKE’S UPWARD BOUND CREEKING PROGRAM

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Tired of those long pools on the Buffalo, Mulberry, and Big Piney? Been wondering if you wouldn’t rather be steering more and forward stroking less, but you don’t want to risk damaging your healthy body on daredevil creek paddling? Well, my fellow paddler, step up and apply now for MIKE’S UPWARD BOUND CREEKING PROGRAM where everyone can be a winning creeker and no paddler is left behind. Act now before prices go down (currently $0) and you too can be paddling specially selected creeks with so many rapids you’ll be glad to come to a pool where you can catch your breath.

The first creek on the list is a mere 0.7 miles long and should only take about 20 minutes out of your busy day, plus shuttle time. Blessed with loads of brush-free bedrock and too many miniature waterfalls to count, the curiously named Brush Creek will delight all paddlers as they begin to dabble in real creeking. Guaranteed to be passable by even recreational kayaks. Say goodbye to seemingly endless flat pools and say hello to rapids in quick succession with the absolute minimum number of witch hazel, buckbrush, and willow branches swatting you in the face. Post here and let me know that you are ready for some non-stop action. The photo below is a typical scene on the Class II Brush Creek.


BRUSH CREEK TYPICAL RAPID by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr

Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve

[bird dog]

Looking on my topo that must be the Brush creek slightly Southwest of the uppermost Bear creek put in? Road 11A?
Sound like a good float for me, I am a classII open boater.

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Yep, that's the Brush Creek I refer to. We'll be paddling from where road 11A (called Oxtail Road on my $79 GPS) crosses the creek down to the Autotour road. I forgot to mention that Brush has an astounding gradient of 57 FEET PER MILE. Compare that to the typical gradient of 10 to 15 feet per mile of those sluggish other rivers I mentioned.

Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Say, Bird Dog, how long is your open boat and model is it? I'm asking to get an idea of difficult it may be to navigate around some of the curves the creek makes.

Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve

[bird dog]

Dager Encore 13'2" . Floated Bear and Trace with it , a few years ago, not much floating lately. ( No roll/ wet exit)

[bird dog]

I was hiking the "Brush Creek" about 12 miles north of this one, two weeks ago today, was gonna remove the two trees that was posted in the float video, first decent, and while hoping from one rock to another sliped and broke my left arm, so it will likely be into the dry season before I can float.

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

That's a tough break, B.D. Falling while hiking in wet areas has been a real concern of mine, especially because somehow I seem to be getting older and older. My formerly perfect record of staying on my feet was tarnished once again while I was on Bear Creek 2. A long, sloping, slick rock in about a foot of water sat me on my butt in the creek. I always carry a walking stick and use it when crossing creeks. It has saved me many times, but that last time I also landed on my wrist. Fortunately it was only sore afterwards.

Your boat will fit just fine and be able to whip around the tightest curves in Brush with a few deft strokes.

Heal, Bird Dog.


Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve

[cpresoz]

Goody. My 10' Remix XP will fit right in.

[BHK Okie]

And you're welcome to ride with me Curtis . Southbound on 540 I'm just across the road from the exit at Chester ( exit 34 )

[cpresoz]

Thanks, Terry. I'll take you up on it.

[David Lewis]

I'd love to do this! When? And, roughly, where is this place? Got a new Jackson Villain that is itching to get on a creek.

[MoWantsToGo]

I would love to tag along, just let me know when.

-Mo

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

This trip may happen Sunday, March 24, 2013 if enough rain falls Saturday. If there is not enough water in the creek, there may be a run down a section of the North Fork of the Ouachita. The NFO is just downstream of the take-out for Brush Creek and is not a steep river. It is similar to the Mulberry River.

Full information including maps and directions for Brush Creek is now up on my Class2Arkansas website at

http://class2arkansas.com/brush-creek/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I anticipate a late morning or early afternoon meeting time for Sunday if the rain cooperates. Check back here Sunday morning.

I am investigating another upward bound creek in the same area that should be good fun also at a future date.

Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve

[David Lewis]

I'm on call and gotta mind the store, but next time, maybe.

[flow]

Mike,
I will try to join you on this one.
I'll check back in the morning!
Phil
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